Spring in the Park - Racing at Cyclopark

After a week spent getting to grips with the gear restrictions imposed on youth riders it was very exciting to be setting off for our first real race at Cyclopark.  It was reassuring to know that the race was being hosted by a friendly bunch with Team Darenth at the helm.  Our riders Hope, Ellen, Polly, Toni, Lottie and Tom all looked good and ready to roll.

Phew Damian, it passed!

Hope was first off in the U8's, racing on a loop that included the small oval and the steep hairpin at the Kent end.  Her good endurance combined with excellent skills and a strong competitive nature stood her in good stead and she crossed the finish line as 1st female and 3rd overall. 

KVK's minus Lottie

Our next race was the U12's. We were hoping to have four riders but unfortunately the steep hairpin caught Lottie out during the warm up and she was not able to start as she was keeping the Cyclopark first aid team busy. Meanwhile Ellen, Polly and Toni were getting ready for their race.  For Ellen this was a completely new experience, Polly and Toni were slightly less daunted as they have some race experience and have completed several Powerpack sessions on the circuit.  Their course used the central circuit around the BMX track together with the London end oval, so pretty much half up hill, half down hill.  The race got under way, Polly and Toni managed to ride with the bunch for several laps, Ellen was not discouraged by the fast start and found herself back in a group as quick starters were dropped and some of the faster riders came through.  All three girls rode really well and were pleased with the final outcome.

Hope made a relaxed start

 

Crossing the line 1st Girl

 
 

Commissaire's briefing. Polly and Toni got a good start position by not doing the warm up lap

Still in the bunch

Toni going for a breakaway?

Still smiling

 
 
 

Tom riding strategically

 
 
Next up was Tom in the U14's.  Tom has plenty of miles in his legs, coming from a cycling family and riding to school on his own from a young age.  His objective was to ride more tactically and avoid doing more than his fair share of work on the front.  He managed this really well until two laps to go when the pace slowed under the bridge and he clipped a wheel.  He recovered well but wasn't able to make it back up to the group he had been riding with.  He finished well but was understandably disappointed at the places he'd lost after some good riding in the early part of the race.

Well done to Tom, Ellen, Toni, Lottie, Polly and Hope and thank you to all the parents for giving up a Friday night.  The races continue every Friday night until the end of June, we are hoping to go to a couple more.

Results:
U8's Hope 1st Girl (3rd Overall)
U12's Polly 4th Girl, Toni 6th Girl, Ellen 8th Girl, Lottie DNS (but is back on her bike!)
U14's Tom 13th